FRANKFURT, March 14 (Reuters) - Australia’s defence ministry has picked German defence group Rheinmetall for exclusive final talks over a contract to buy its Boxer armoured combat vehicles, Rheinmetall said on Wednesday, confirming a report by the Financial Times.

The estimated project volume would be around A$3.15 billion ($2.48 billion) and more than 200 vehicles, it said, adding that delivery would likely start in 2019 and last until 2026.